We got an exciting call this week - our Jayco Greyhawk 29MV has arrived at the dealership!
We won't be picking it up immediately, though. We are having some accessories installed first.
Since Doug and I will both be working from the road, internet connectivity will be a must. I researched a variety of cell service hot spot devices and wi-fi boosters, and ended up going with the Togo Roadlink C2 roof-mounted wi-fi extender and cell service hot spot. Combined with the reasonably priced Roadlink AT&T unlimited data plan, it should provide us with a strong in-RV network for all our devices, both personal and work-related. There were other brands that had a bit more up-to-date technology, but the data plans available for those weren't as reasonably priced for full-time use.
I did hesitate about having only one cell service provider, as our personal phones are also on an AT&T plan. If we run into coverage issues when we start traveling, we'll consider adding a Verizon Jetpack hot spot device. I'm also keeping an eye on the possible T-Mobile/Sprint merger, which might result in a third cell service data provider worth considering.
The other accessory we're having installed is the Truma AquaGo Comfort instant water heater. We considered waiting on this, as the Jayco-installed 6-gallon water heater would allow quick showers, and many campgrounds/RV parks have nice bathhouses, but ultimately decided that beginning our travels in February would be much more comfortable with near-unlimited hot water!
I also put in an order for an external accessory: the Hughes Autoformers Power Watchdog surge protector with Bluetooth and auto-shutoff. This will plug into the campground power pedestal to protect our RV from power surges and from other voltage or grounding issues. I will also be purchasing a smaller electrical accessory: an adaptor and heavy-duty extension cord to allow us to plug the RV into a house outlet while it's parked in the driveway.
Finally, I plan to order SnapPads for our RV, which help to protect the leveler pads that come with the RV while providing a larger footprint for the levelers, especially helpful on muddy ground or summer asphalt.
Gearing up isn't just about the hardware, of course - it's also about the roadtrip anticipation! With the use of Google My Maps, My Scenic Drives, and AllStays Pro, we've sketched out the roadmap for our first six months:
We used Google My Maps (above) to plot the main stops, which are primarily family, friend, and community events from February through July 2020. We then used My Scenic Drives (below) to lay out the first two weeks of driving, divided into customized daily drive-lengths; and, finally, AllStays Pro to find the campgrounds along the route. And, of course, there is an associated spreadsheet! (Because I really love spreadsheets...)
Once we hit the road in February, we'll be keeping this website updated with the "Where Are We Now?" map and with blog posts about our travels; and we'll have a Facebook page with plans for where we're headed, a Twitter account with historical fun facts about our destinations, and an Instagram account with photos from our travels. We hope you'll come along for the ride!
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